Current treatment concepts of calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder

Calcifying tendinitis is a very common pathology in the shoulder region, which may be acute or chronic. The rotator cuff, particularly the supraspinatus tendon, is most frequently affected. The tendons of the rotator cuff undergo a natural cycle of destruction and regeneration. The development of calcifying tendinitis is caused by defective tendon repair. Typical is a chronic course with acute pain exacerbation, which leads to medical presentation. Treatment options range from conservative therapy including rest, physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and shock wave therapy, to surgical therapy with arthroscopic removal of the calcific focus. This article discusses the current stage-dependent therapeutic concepts and provides a treatment recommendation.